South Korean residents scrambled for cover today as North Korea threatened to launch a ‘sea of fire’ over military drills in the Yellow Sea with the US military.

Residents were ordered into bomb shelters as the sound of artillery fire was heard just days after two of its soldiers were killed by North Korea shells.

The tension between the two countries has escalated since North Korean artillery fire five days ago and the start of ‘war games’ in South Korea.

South Korea’s Defence Ministry has now ordered reporters to leave Yeonpyeong, saying ‘the situation is not good’ on the island following the start of the military drills.

The South Korean president, Kim Dae-Jung has meanwhile warned his country to be ready for a surprise attack by the North.

His warning came as a state-run website in the North warned that the military exercises would be an ‘unpardonable provocation’ and that it would create a ‘ sea of fire’ if any of its territory was violated.